Statement by
Senator James M. Jeffords
Senate Environment
& Public Works Committee
Hearing on
Interstate Waste and Flow Control
Wednesday, March
20, 2002
Good Morning.
I'd like to begin by thanking all of our witnesses for participating in
today's hearing.
The issues of interstate waste and flow control
engender strong divergent views. I
acknowledge the challenges that my friends from Montana and Pennsylvania
face. I also recognize that my friends
from New York and New Jersey confront opposing pressures.
These issues pit our Constitution's Commerce clause
and the economic benefits resulting from the free flow of goods against States'
rights and the desires of local communities to decide their own fate. There is no right side and there is no easy
answer. These are issues that neither
the courts nor Congress has been able to solve.
Unfortunately, I do not bring a magic solution to the
concerns being raised today. There is
no doubt that these issues are important enough to warrant a thorough
discussion. While I am pleased that we
could fulfill the wishes of several Committee members by conducting this
hearing, I also recognize that we have a long way to go before we reach greater
agreement. Until such time, we remain
stymied by the issues that our witnesses raise in their testimonies.
In the context of today's discussion, it is also
important to recognize two issues that merit this Committee's further
attention: waste reduction and recycling.
In Vermont, solid waste plans must demonstrate a high level of
recycling, and trash districts can charge fees to help pay for recycling
programs. Pennsylvania's recycling
efforts, as outlined in Mr. Hess' testimony, also serve as a model that other
states should follow.
This summer, I plan to conduct a hearing on
recycling. Specifically, I would like
to examine legislation to institute a national bottle recycling program, as
well as federal activities regarding procurement of recycled-content
products.
Thank you.